Agenda item

Councillor Fullam (Leader and Portfolio Holder for Budget and Strategic Vision) and Councillor Cole (Portfolio Holder for Business Transformation and Human Resources) will present a verbal report on the priorities for the forthcoming year in light of the Committee’s work programme.

The Leader presented the following priorities for the forthcoming year in terms of the budget and providing value for money across the Council’s services:-

·         Exeter’s council tax remained one of the lowest in the country

·         Our Government grant settlement remained a concern, particularly in the deflationary context of a modest increase of 0.9%. However an additional LABGI grant of £577,000 had been received and already £200,000 was identified for projects to help boost the local economy. 

·         Funding of the Concessionary Travel Scheme continued to present a challenge for the Council, with continued discussion and lobbying of the Department of Transport.

·         Efforts continue to address the shortfall in the budget, which is set against the backdrop of other economic factors including a drop in key parts of the council’s revenue streams. There had been a positive response through active management and additional grant aid. The capital programme delivery pace had also slowed with a general underspend showing, due to tight budgetary management by services. Although there remains some caution over the extent and timetable, it was possible that the improving financial situation would mean the recovery of some of the City Council’s lost funds from the Icelandic Banks.

• A robust line in vacancy management had played a significant part in keeping costs down and it should be noted that there were now fewer staff delivering services.  It was a tribute to the staff and management teams who had ensured that there were no discernable changes to the service levels.

In answer to Members’ question, Councillor Fullam commented:-

• on the process and challenge for the current administration for setting the budget for the forthcoming year - he anticipated that the process would pass through the usual democratic process.

• on the public consultation relating to waste collection, stating that the City Council still had the difficult task of identifying £2.5 million of savings and the environmental and financial benefits would be balanced against any perceived environmental health concerns. He hoped that continuing engagement with residents would shape the response in respect of all council services.  

Councillor Cole presented a briefing note outlining the following priorities for the forthcoming year in terms of Business Transformation and Human Resources across the Council’s services:-

Housing Benefits

·         Despite increasing claimant numbers, to continue to monitor the performance   of the Housing Benefits service to ensure that the City Council realises its objective of improving assessment times and customer service

Automated service access and Electronic Document Records Management (EDRM)

• The demand for access to automated services has been increasing and it was important that the Council continued to develop those facilities for the customers who prefer that kind of transaction.
• The Council’s rolling programme of moving to electronic records would also be maintained in the coming year.

Mobile and Remote working

• Business cases for a number of services were being prepared for presentations to Members, and it was anticipated that would go forward in the next 6 to 12 months, when there was some certainty about local government structures. A business case will be prepared and costed by Treasury Services.

Equalities

• The Council will be working towards the next level of the new Equalities Framework for local government

Budget Savings

• It was important to deliver the proposed budget savings which were agreed for the current financial year and progress would be monitored carefully and reported to this Committee.

Local Government Review

• With the continuing uncertainty surrounding the review of local government structures it was important that we continued to support our staff. Human Resources had a crucial role to play with all managers, including the trade unions, to protect services and jobs. 

The Scrutiny Committee- Resources noted the priorities for the forthcoming year.